But Miss Marchrose said no, and that she was afraid that she had forgotten that part of her audience was Scotch, or she would never have attempted Scotch songs, thus making an end of the pretty illusion that her selection had been out of compliment to Mr. Garrett and his nationality.
"Isn't your voice sufficiently trained to be of a little use to you?" Lady Rossiter asked the singer. "Private engagements are really not so very difficult to get, and I'm sure you'd like adding to the music of the world better than that eternal shorthand."
"I am better qualified to add to the music of the world on a typewriter than on a piano," said Miss Marchrose.
"Go on singing," Julian told her.
This time she sang popular musical comedy songs, rather amusingly, and with the slightest of accompaniments.
Mark roared with laughter, Lady Rossiter substituted a tolerant look for the one of kindness, and Iris and Mr. Garrett exchanged a slight shudder.
"Well done!" said Sir Julian, when she stopped. "But sing 'Annie Laurie' once more."
He listened with peculiar satisfaction while she did as he had asked her.
The dinner-party was broken up by Lady Rossiter, who said to Miss Marchrose as she bade her good night:
"We mustn't keep your cab waiting; that 'King's Head' fly charges abominably as it is. Besides, I don't forget that you have to be at work at nine to-morrow morning. Good night."